Application Procedures

Applicants to the M.F.A. are drawn from a range of fields and should have an undergraduate degree in computer animation, new media, information technology, media arts, computer science and engineering, or a related discipline. Applicants must follow the guidelines specified by the Graduate College and must also submit a supplemental application and materials to the degree program office. Each application will be carefully evaluated by a panel of degree program faculty based on the following criteria: grade point average, transcripts from all colleges and universities, GRE test scores, personal statement, portfolio list, creative work sample, writing sample and letters of recommendation.

Applications for graduate study must be submitted online and are available on the Graduate College website. The deadline for submitting completed applications is March 1st (April 1st for international applicants); the program only offers fall admissions. Further information about the program, the application procedure and assistantships can be obtained by contacting Francis X. McAfee, the program coordinator.

Admission Requirements

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants will be drawn from a range of fields and should have an undergraduate degree in computer animation, new media, information technology, media arts, computer science and engineering, or a related discipline.

The admission standard is an undergraduate degree (B.A., B.F.A., or B.S.) in a related discipline with a 3.0 GPA.

A combined score of 1000 or higher on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE (Graduate Record Exam). A minimum of 4.0 on the analytical writing section of the GRE is also required. Test scores follow the general admission standards set by the Graduate College. Departure from these standards will be considered based on excellence in the portfolio review.

500-word personal statement. The personal statement should articulate the applicant’s areas of interest and compatibility of those interests with the M.F.A. program. The personal statement is an opportunity for the student to express his/her background and interest in the degree program; the statement will be read by the faculty panel as a measure of creativity, self-awareness and vision.

Writing sample. The writing sample is used to demonstrate the candidate's imagination; the candidate must describe an interactive media experience that has inspired him/her to enter the field, outlining the specific qualities that made the experience meaningful.

Portfolio list. The portfolio list is a record of the applicant’s creative material; it should include a concise description of each project, the month and year of completion, and the applicant’s creative role and the purpose of the project. The material should give an idea of the range and depth of the candidate’s creative ability, and formal recognition such as awards, publication, jobs and exhibitions, should be noted. When listing creative materials prepared for a class or publication, the name of the institution or the publication should be included.

Creative work sample. The creative work sample is the one item that represents the candidate’s best or most relevant work.

Letters of recommendation. A minimum of three letters of recommendation from a variety of sources are required; these may be from teachers and industry supervisors.

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